Modifications/Other/Extras:Just stripped the paint off my frame and bars—rust rod is the look I’m going for, I guess. Cut a bit of the bars—about an inch.

Which parts do you go through the most?Grips and tires—too many skids.

Describe your bike setup and how you like your bike to feel…I like it when the bike is broken in. Not sure if that makes sense, but when it’s been worn in it feels solid. I hate a sponge for a bike.

Are you still obsessed about having thin grips?Yeah, gotta love it.

What is the oldest part on your bike?Brake lever—wow, tons of years. It was even stolen once and I got it back.

Your brake lever was stolen? Like with the rest of your bike, or just the lever? And how did you get it back?The brake lever was on my bike. All three of us got our bikes stolen in NYC—Wiz, Reyes, and mine, and somehow I ended up getting the lever back from some guy. It’s a strange story—happy got the lever back.

When was the last time you had pegs on your bike?Put them on not too long ago. Got mad trying icepick grinds and then I chucked ’em.

You’ve ridden Slam Bars for as long as I can remember, so what made you decide to switch it up with the Hoder bars?Why not? I feel like bigger bars can make things a little bit better [laughs]. Wish me luck.

How do you like the new bars so far?Not bad—into it.

I’m actually kinda surprised to see plastic pedals on your bike too…They look like watermelon Jolly Ranchers. At first it was strange, okay with it now.

Lets get back up to speed a little with your post knee surgery progress. How are you feeling these days?I was getting back on it until I hurt my hip over a month ago. Before that I was feeling super confident and on it—this old body keeps on kicking.

Tell me how some leaves and pinecones ruined your plans to ride while you were out in Cali for the holidays…Dark streets, skidding, and bad luck… Holidays hurt, I guess, my hand is still chewed up—ugh.

"Ugh" is right...

Have you been doing anything with Happy Hour or any other design related stuff?[I have] been motivated on a new project, I want to start a company called Speed Ghost. I never really liked the idea of Happy Hour as a name and one day Speed Ghost came to mind and I’m pretty excited about it—lets do it.

Tell me more about Speed Ghost.
I just always feel like I’ve had a creative mind and I want it to use. I’m tired of crap and wanna put rock n’ roll back into BMX. There are only a few of us trying. I feel like there is so much grey area and a lot of things I would like to see better—wish me luck.

What do you have on the horizon for the New Year?Just try and stay healthy and go for it. It’s been a bit since I have had a fire in my heart and I have a good feeling for this year—life won’t wait.